KARACHI: Sabeen Mahmud, the director and founder of The Second Floor (T2F) cafe, was shot dead in an act of target killing Friday night in Karachi.

Sabeen hosted a session at T2F titled ‘Unsilencing Balochistan (Take 2)’ on Friday evening, featuring the chairperson of Voice for Missing Baloch Persons (VBMP), Mama Qadeer. This was the same session which was due to be held at LUMS a few weeks ago, but was cancelled at the last minute.

Following the brutal attack, an FIR was registered at Defence Police Station under sections 302 (murder), 324 (attempted murder) and 7 under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The case was registered on behalf of Sabeen’s mother, who was critically wounded in the attack and is admitted in hospital.

Sabeen, along with her mother, left the premises of T2F nearly an hour after the session had ended, around 9pm. Travelling in a white Suzuki Swift, they reached the Defence Central Library traffic signal when armed motorcyclists intercepted them from both sides and opened fire. Sabeen was shot four times and died on the spot, while her mother was shot twice.

They were rushed to the hospital, where Sabeen was pronounced dead. Her mother was shifted to the Aga Khan University Hospital for treatment.

Inquiry officer Muhammad Arshad confirmed to The Express Tribune that the attack on Sabeen was an act of target killing, adding that the police were investigating the case from various angles to ascertain the motive behind the incident.

Having ruled out robbery, sources have said investigators are trying to determine the motive of the killing through various angels.
Further, they also said that Sabeen’s name, along with the names of some journalists, was included in a hit-lift combined by militants, which was released by intelligence agencies in January.

They added that Sabeen had been receiving threats since the past six months, with the most recent one on April 22.

Her driver Ghulam Abbas told the police that at least four suspects in a white car were following their car, while armed motorcyclists opened fire on Sabeen.

Reports say a 9mm pistol was used in the incident.

PHOTO: AFP

A large crowd of family, friends and well-wishers gathered outside the Jinnah Postgraduate and Medical Centre (JPMC) mortuary where Sabeen’s body had been brought for a post-mortem.

JPMC’s joint executive director Dr Seemin Jamali said that Sabeen’s postmortem was carried out at the hospital’s mortuary. According to the post-mortem, Sabeen was shot twice in the chest and received one bullet each in the face and neck. Doctors said that the cause of death was the bullet she received in her neck.

Law enforcers reached the site of the attack to collect evidence.

Officials said they had recovered empty shells of bullets fired in the assassination.

“We are checking to see if there are CCTVs installed near the incident,” Inquiry officer Muhammad Arshad said, adding that they wanted to determine whether the assailants were following her or were waiting at a particular location.

Arshad said that that Sabeen had been receiving threats and that the police were trying to access her cell phone records.

PHOTO: AFP

Leaders of various political parties, including MQM chief Altaf Hussain condemned the attack and demanded that the culprits be brought to book.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif too has extended condolences to the bereaved family of Sabeen. He has also asked concerned authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and submit report to him.

A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNA, speaking to the media outside the mortuary, revealed that Sabeen had been receiving threats since the past few days. “She was running a movement for the missing persons and had been receiving threats,” he said. “It is tragic that a woman of Sabeen’s stature, who was speaking out for human rights and for an end to terrorism, was killed so mercilessly.”

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has also sought a report from IGP Sindh over the incident and ordered the police to arrest the assailants. On Saturday, Shah directed the concerned authorities to constitute a judicial commission to probe the target killing of T2F director Sabeen Mahmud. According to the CM’s spokesperson, directives have been issued to Home Department to issue a notification of the commission without any delay.

Acting President Mian Raza Rabbani, while strongly condemning the target killing of Sabeen Mahmud, said that Karachi had lost one of its greatest assets.

Terming it an attack on freedom of speech and expression, Rabbani directed Chief Minister Sindh to submit a report on the brutal murder immediately and to arrest those responsible within 72 hours.

The Acting President also directed the authorities concerned to ensure the provision of best medical treatment to Sabeen’s mother who was injured in the attack.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari too condemned the brutal targeted assassination and called for the arrest and punishment for the attackers.

Zardari’s spokesperson, quoting the former president, added that the timing and location of the crime scene and the issues Sabeen was known to advocate raise questions about the motives behind this seemingly targeted assassination and it needs to be probed.

Meanwhile, an investigation team headed by south zone police chief DIG Dr Jameel Ahmed has been constituted to probe Sabeen’s murder. SSP South Tariq Dharejo and SSP Investigations Faizullah Korejo have also been included in the team, which has been tasked to submit its initial report within three days.

PHOTO: AFP

Police have also detained Sabeen’s driver Ghulam Abbas for questioning. Abbas is a constable with the Excise Police and used to work as a part time driver.

Mama Qadeer condemns the attack

Talking to The Express Tribune, Mama Qadeer condemned the attack and that Sabeen and her mother departed from the venue shortly after the event had ended.

“The programme went really well and the response was great. Once the event ended, we stayed back at the venue for a bit. Sabeen then told us that she was going to leave since her house was far,” said Qadeer.

“Shortly after Sabeen left, we heard gunshots,” he added.

Qadeer said the event was initially supposed to be held on April 21 at a different location, but the venue was later changed after the organisers started receiving threats.

Expressing grief over the incident, Qadeer said, “They don’t let me leave Pakistan, they don’t let me speak at LUMS, they don’t let me speak in Karachi. Where should we go to speak about our rights, where should we raise our voices.”

The car Sabeen Mahmud was in when she was attacked. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD NOMAN/EXPRESS

Fellow panelist for Friday’s event, Muhammad Ali Talpur said that they had lost an honest and dedicated friend.

After the horrific attack that left Sabeen dead, a special last-minute panel is going to be held at Islamabad Literature Festival today (Saturday) at 3:30pm in her memory.

The panel will be held by Pakistani author Mohammad Hanif, writer Shandana Minhas and Dr Framji Minwalla, Assistant Professor and Chairperson of the Social Sciences & Liberal Arts department of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).

Jiye Mahajir Qoumi Movement. I hope sanity will prevail in Karachi and people will realize who can bring a real change in the city. Even if I agree to that rhetoric that Mahajir Movement is serious about Karachi, but the fact is they cannot produce results. For God sake Karachi people, give PTI a chance and stop casting votes on the basis of language. Act like the most educated community of Pakistan.Recommend

Leftists and anti Pakistan critics will quickly resort to blaming the ISI/’establishment’ when in reality this could have been done by separatist militants to gain political capital and they will easily evade blame since everybody will obviously blame the ‘establishment’ since it’s convenient.Recommend

First reaction – Despair. Next reaction – despair. Sabeen Mahmud, what a tremendous forum you had created for all that was good, beautiful and worthy of promotion. It was an honour to have met you and admired your capacity to stand on and share a much-needed platform where so many good people were seen and heard. You lived bravely and have died a martyr’s death. But we are in greater despair than ever before. I can only beg Allah to forgive us so that we can stop losing the best among us to the criminals of this land. God bless you dear, generous and brave Sabeen.Recommend

@Amber:
Who exactly are u referring to? This has nothing to do with the Taliban. This has to do with the organization and its sister organization on whose orders the talk on LUMS was cancelled. Sad, I’m probably not allowed to refer them by name otherwise my comment might be removed.Recommend

“Mehmud was heading home along with her mother after having hosted an event on Balochistan at the cafe when two unidentified armed men opened fire on her.”

Who would be interested in targeting people protesting civil rights violations in Baluchistan ? The LUMS management would be relieved that it’s not them but this poor lady but it could have been them if they had gone ahead with their Baluchistan event.Recommend

@Longislander: What nonsense are you talking about? What does this has to do with Mahajir Qaumi Movement? It is clear who is against Mama Qadeer and the Baloch movement and who is instrumental in stopping them from speaking at LUMS and at other forums. Time like this when an innocent soul has lost her life for speaking up should serve as a catalyst for honest, sensitive, and freedom-loving people to organize and confront the forces of evil and oppression. Instead, you are diverting attention from the real culprits.Recommend

My friends please read my words carefully for I wish to sum up the collective thinking of our nation. We always assume the worst especially from our security agencies who rarely get credit but always are facing the flak of our ill informed people and pseudo liberals. For once can we just think that maybe this was an attempt to malign the rangers?
Everyday I see people posting that rangers are not performing their duties effectively. Do karachites seriously want to go back to the glory days of 2008-2013 when everyday 10 people would be shot on average. Then karachi folk would shift to Lahore or Dubai and complain of the hapless police and spineless security agencies. This is undoubtedly a plan afoot to damage the role of rangers in Karachi so that one can go back to the merry days of old. Its a damn shame that those who often have called out the security forces for not working are now lampooning them without evidence. It says a lot regarding the mindset of these people. Look busy do nothingRecommend

@Longislander The change the Muhajir party (say their own leaders, don’t kill the messenger) has brought in the last 30 years is enough. Karachi has bled dry, thus cannot afford more bloodshed, errr, I meant change. Recommend

So sad. I met her once seeking support for a cause and she was so approachable and humble. So willing to help. May Allah rest her soul in peace and give her perpetrators a good dose of their own medicine.Recommend

@Observer Saleem Shahzad’s murder “investigation” was such a shoddy job, it felt like he might’ve murdered himself. Such will be the case of Sabeen’s job too if it’s also an inside job.

Autopsy for Saleem Shahzad revealed his death was due to a puncture from a broken rib cage bone (most likely due to strong impact from torture).

Shuja Pasha was accused by chief of US armed forces for being responsible for Shahzad’s death owing to his two articles highlighting the ineptitude of ISI detailing the days leading up to attacks on Karachi Naval bases. Hamid Mir was similarly targeted (for talking about missing persons cases in Balochistan) but luckily survived.

I’m cent percent sure this comment of mine will not be published, I’m just writing it for whoever proof-reads it I guess. Pak Army has and will always be the “savior” of above all it’s own self.Recommend

For how long will they silence the voices of justice? Free world need to take notice & help the oppressed by all possible means. Saving people from the atrocities of State is a noble cause worth fighting for.Recommend

RIP brave lady. I don’t know her but I can sense the respect she commands. Hope the Pakistani civil society fights back and rescues the society from the extremists. More power to the peaceful activists. Respect and support from your neighbor.Recommend

If you think anything of what has been happening is not related to each other then I believe you’re sorely mistaken. Balochistan is practically unchartered land. All the better to do god knows what in. It’s all connected. Recommend

Wow the people who are blaming muhajid quami movement. which village are your from that you are so unaware of current events in your country? First it is muttthaida not muhajid. Second what does mqm have to do with the balochiistan missing. Can you really be so lacking in basic knowledge despite having access to Internet. Worst you have pro pti references in your threads. This is why pti supporters terrify me. They have abysmal knowledge about basic realities. Recommend

I knew that she was standing up for the missing persons in Baluchistan and who are the ones to silence those who want to expose them. My heart goes out to the bereaved family and may God rest her in peace. Thank you Sabeen for serving the nation in true sense and because of you others will stand up and speak the truth. They can’t silence the whole nation. Recommend

Anyone can kill anyone that’s called Killing Karachi. Life is really cheap in this city.The outcome would be most secular and liberal voices will be fleeing out of the country,which is a serious brain drain problem.Recommend

It’s very sad that life is so cheap in the land of the pure. We’ll probably never find out who the attackers were, just as we never found out who Hamid Mir’s attackers were. If this is a conspiracy to malign our armed forces, why don’t the armed forces investigate and tell us who the real perpetrators are. They do have the capibability to investigate, as they did in attacks on Musharraf. Recommend

@ Longislander, This area belong to Mr Alvi and he is from PTI, this is target killing by government as government not want to bring lights on the fact the Baluchistan Human right, lower value , why not government create industries in Baluchistan, if they can build gas extraction plant in Baluchistan, than why not school, colleges and universities,

Why not they get communication, pure water, good food and lifestyle, why we need china after sixty years to develop that area. Recommend

@Iqbal:
yes ..the killer of Salim Shezad and Sabeen are the real target killers in Karachi and to take control of Karachi and running invisible govt in Karachi, this proved in the bye election in karachi.. The establishment’s heavy footprint was discernible everywhere, from the multiple checking of identity cards to even counting the votes at some polling stationsRecommend

@Longislander:
Dear Sir, the incident is far beyond the realm of political parties. Please do not try to use each and every event that takes place in this Land of the Pure to your party’s advantage. Try finding the realities behind the glorified account of events (of the past sixty plus years) that is promoting the false pride, love and hate emotions on this land, to whose benefit and on whose behest. Recommend

Another activist shot dead for raising the voice of those that we have long silenced. Right now, we certainly are on our way to doom, especially the way our establishment tackles Baluchistan issue. It is another incident that should serve as a wake-up call or else as a society we could only be considered dormant or rather unconscious souls.Recommend

No matter who shot her dead- local or foreign agencies -this state has failed to protect fundamental rights of its citizens. Parliament is keen to safeguard territorial integrity of Saudi Arab but is less intrested to ensure its own. This country has become a slaughter house for intellectuals, learned clerics, social/ political activists and journalists. International organizations have also put a blind eye towards worsening human rights violtion in Pakistan.Recommend

When Hamid Mir spoke up about Balochistan and was shot, ‘official’ detractors said that it was a staged ‘suicide”. Now when this courageous lady held a talk on Balochistan she was promptly gunned down. I wonder what these detractors will have to say now?
In Pakistan we can openly talk about the oppression in Palestine and Kashmir, but the loud and clear message is that if one talks publicly about the oppression in Balochistan expect to get a bullet in the head.

RIP Sabeen Mahsud. May God bless you.

As the brave die one by one, this land will soon become only populated by cowards.Recommend

Just heard the news…Im overwhelmed with grief.
Goes to show how powerful an effect a tiny place like T2F made…someone’s cage got rattled..
Its so tragic to see everyone pitted against each other and dont want to dialogue when its initiated with a genuine intent.
May she rest in peace. God bless her soul.Recommend

Another victim of national security state. Attitude like this from security agencies led to the events of Dhaka Fall. They way they are silencing the voices from Balochistan, FATA etc and silencing and threatening people who are supporting those voices is similar to what was happening in 1971. Real traitors are those who do not want people from one area to listen towards the grievances of people from other areas. People of Pakistan especially in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi need to come out of their comfort zone and raise their voice against fascism by security agencies. Recommend

….and if and when the criminals are caught and brought before the judge, most likely he will decided that this is not a terrorist act…..and the circus will start again……justice will never be done.
Remember Mumtaz Qadri who put over 20 bullets in broad daylight into the Governor Taaseer killing him and admitted it…….but the judges deemed this not to be a terrorist act.Recommend

It is a very strong move to give boost to the missing persons’ Issue, Mama Qadeer was interviewed already so it is not to stop that, then what it is for? Clearly after the interview it could only be to attract public attention, It seems like a marketing move by terrorists. Public attention to this issue had been lacking for many previous interviews of Mama Qadeer, Sad thing is they took the life of a person who was an asset to the nation. Terrorism give no value to the life whether intellectual or common, as long as its message is delivered.Recommend

Murder of Sabeen Mahmud,a social activist, is highly condemnable.How can a modern
society whether democratic or not survive,where freedom or thought and expression is
subject to bullets of non state actors.This trend is continuing,latest killings of Hamid Mir
and shehzad are too fresh to count.The reasons for such an apathy are quite obvious,
ever increasing fundamentalism,fanaticism,intolerance and religious bigotry.To help the
Governmental efforts,it is incumbent on the leaders of all faiths and sects to come
out and condemn such wanton killings and save the further slide of society.Elements
of dissent have to be addressed in harmony and true purpose and meaning of any faith
is peace and mutual existence.This will maintain regal status of religion and avoid the
infamy that religion is opium for masses.Sabeen..RIP.Recommend

The nation of Pakistan continues to face various challenges in the form of terrorism, and it is easy to see that the enemies of peace remain focused on destabilizing the country. We hope the ones responsible for murdering Sabeen Mahmud are caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers and thoughts are with Sabeen Mahmud’s family and friends during this difficult time.

While condemning the murder, this is what the US Embassy in Pakistan spokesperson said:
“We strongly condemn the murder of Sabeen Mahmud and the wounding of her mother. We extend our deepest condolences to her loved ones and our wishes for her mother’s full and speedy recovery. Sabeen was a courageous voice of the Pakistani people and her death represents a great loss.”